By Jim Tankersley
A group of Barack Obama supporters in Ohio have filed a formal complaint to the Federal Elections Commission, asking the nation's top campaign finance regulators to investigate and potentially shut down - and prosecute - an outside group that has pledged to run advertisements boosting Hillary Clinton in Ohio and Texas.
As Mark Naymik reported in the Plain Dealer of Cleveland, Ohio, earlier today, a Cleveland lawyer and Obama backer (who was a failed candidate for Ohio attorney general in 2006) named Subodh Chandra filed the complaint on behalf of three low-income Ohioan Obama supporters. The complaint alleges the pro-Clinton American Leadership Project, which is organized as a so-called "527" group that is set up to advocate on political issues, violates campaign finance laws because the only issue it appears to advocate is ... Hillary Clinton's election.
"The project's exclusive purpose (is) to support Senator Clinton's campaign through the funding and airing of sham issue ads," the complaint alleges -- and to allow "maxed-out" financial supporters to circumvent federal election rules and continue to help Clinton.
The complaint says the Leadership Project should have registered as a political committee and been subject to federal fundraising limits. It requests "an expedited civil investigation, fines, immediate injunctive relief to prevent irreparable tainting of the primaries and, if appropriate, a referral for criminal investigation."
The Obama campaign complained about the Leadership Project earlier this week but said it would leave any FEC complaints up to others.
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Comments
Hillary is just like the Republican knuckledraggers.
They both have nothing to run on so they rely on 527's aka Swiftboat tactics.
The Republic Party weenies are especially reliant on these types of discusting activities.
Posted by: John E | February 23, 2008 2:12 PM
This is how John Kerry was swiftboated. What does that tell you about Senator Hillary Clinton's supporters?!? Are there no limits to how low they will go.
Posted by: Edward Lynch | February 23, 2008 2:15 PM
Hillary Clinton is the queen of weasel politics.
Posted by: J. Head | February 23, 2008 2:46 PM
Obama-- a joke-- says what ever he wants--- He is like a preacher trying to get more money from the people.
Posted by: cal | February 23, 2008 2:48 PM
On a lighter note, here's a wonderful new Obama meme: http://obamawill.com
Posted by: Sue Martin | February 23, 2008 3:00 PM
Hillary Clinton will be great for this Country. The Clintons inherited a fiscal nightmare when they came into office and they left it fabulous. Stop the amnesia, we were great when they were in the leaderships and that is what we need. Hate them or love, they know how to clean house and bring the Country back to where it belongs: PEACEFULE, ECONOMICALLY STRONG AND BALANCED! GO HILLARY
Posted by: Rufus | February 23, 2008 3:25 PM
You people in the media make me sick. A lawsuit should be filed against the Associated Press for immorally hyping Obama
Posted by: kevin | February 23, 2008 3:31 PM
Obama-- a joke-- says what ever he wants--- He is like a preacher trying to get more money from the people.
Posted by: cal | February 23, 2008 2:48 PM
dani california,
Obama's a "preacher"?
You mean like that crazy old man (John McCain/Bush) who goes around chanting "my friends, 100 years in Iraq is fine with me" and "my friends, I'm a reformer, I don't let lobbyists influence me"?
John McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, and yet he said "I'm the only one the special interests don't give any money to."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gEROVh8zK4
Posted by: John E | February 23, 2008 3:31 PM
". . .filed the complaint on behalf of three low-income Ohioan Obama supporters"
Here is the irony. If they were low-income, wouldn't they spend that money to pay for their food and bills instead of filing lawsuits?
My goodness. . .without experience a good idea will, indeed, die in the floor of Congress.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 23, 2008 3:51 PM
Clinton has relied on Rovian attack ads and smears for this long, why not go for the sham-groups running ads?
Mark Penn told Clinton to go full out negative in a last ditch attempt to win the nomination and she's taking that advice to heart. You'll notice that she has yet to speak out against these people -- because she needs them too badly.
Posted by: Jeff V. | February 23, 2008 4:11 PM
Hillary needs to get off her throne and get a grip on reality. She's losing...simple as that. Anything she tries to deny (Nafta support) or work up against Obama is failing. She's the epitome of old style politics and guess what...this country is all done with that.
Posted by: J. Gordon | February 23, 2008 5:13 PM
Quotes from previous commentators that say it all: "Hillary is just like the Republican knuckledraggers...
They both have nothing to run on so they rely on 527's aka Swiftboat tactics"
"Hillary Clinton is the queen of weasel politics"
Well said , people, well said!
Posted by: Dr UsYrBrains | February 23, 2008 5:23 PM
Obama wants to lock up his nomination and is afraid that if Hillary matches him in ads and mailouts and phone calls--he will lose Texas and Ohio. What's wrong with an even playing field???
He has 60 million dollars to play with--he has four times more money than Hillary.
I think an even playing field is a good thing for the voters of Ohio and Texas.
After all, we are not electing someone for American Idol or Dancing with the Stars! This is not a popularity contest!
Posted by: Evelyn | February 23, 2008 5:41 PM
The difference is:
Obama is a gentleman who inspires and brings out the best in people.
Clinton plays small, low, and ugly. In the past, people didn't expect more than that from politics.
Now, Obama is leading people to believe that we all can be better than that.
Posted by: Sam | February 23, 2008 7:13 PM
The Republic Party weenies are especially reliant on these types of discusting activities.
Posted by: John E | February 23, 2008 2:12 PM
Idiot - little johnny e
Did you ever hear of George Soros, MoveOn.com
Isn't he the liberals secret leader- King of 527 sleeze.
Posted by: joe | February 23, 2008 7:24 PM
You can read the actual complaint that was filed with the FEC, on behalf of Ohioans of modest means who had given small amounts ($10 to $25) to Senator Obama's movement for change, here. You can see for yourself that the American Leadership Project and its officers, directors, fundraisers, and fat-cat donors are contemplating illegal activity and risk fines, injunctions, and even potentially criminal liability.
http://filer.case.edu/jkk3/ALPcomplaint.pdf
Posted by: Subodh Chandra | February 23, 2008 8:00 PM
Obama also has PACs and 527s campaigning on HIS behalf (and has since the run-up to Super Tuesday). Two that I know of are VoteHope and Powerpac. Google it.
I'm not saying I agree with this type of 3rd party campaigning and under-the-radar fundraising, but Obama is a hypocrite for being so critical of this on the Clinton side when he knows full-well that the same independent groups exist on his behalf?
He has publicly stated that he "tries" to get them to stop but there is nothing he can do to stop them, and so they continue. Why does he hold the Clinton campaign to a different standard? If The American Leadership Project is pursued and prosecuted, his supporting PACs and 527s should be as well.
I am actually a truly undecided registered Democrat and I admire both of these candidates and have followed this primary season VERY closely. I have no delusions about either of them. They are both political animals who play the game they must play to win.
I do have to say that I am really bothered when I see so much hate and anger and blame from Obama supporters directed at Clinton. The Hillary-hate and always assuming the worst of her which is so rampant in responses such as the ones here makes me seriously doubt the "politics of hope" and "turning the page" I have to say. You're not doing your candidate any favors, Obama supporters.
Posted by: Liz | February 23, 2008 9:07 PM
Idiot - little johnny e
Did you ever hear of George Soros, MoveOn.com
Isn't he the liberals secret leader- King of 527 sleeze.
Posted by: joe | February 23, 2008 7:24 PM
c j,
You ever hear of RUPERT MURDOCH!!!
You're not even in my league, c j, quit embarrassing yourself
Posted by: John E | February 23, 2008 9:21 PM
BOTH THE DNC PEOPLE HAVE NO BUSINESS RUNIING THIS COUNTRY, THEY DO NOT HAVE A UNDERSTANDING ON HOW THE MILITARY WORKS. AT LESS THE RNC PERSON KNOW THE MILITARY AND THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED IN A TIME OF WAR NOT SOME KISS ASS PERSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
DAROLD M. MURPHY
BM2 USNR(TAR)ret.
Posted by: Darol Murphy | February 23, 2008 10:09 PM
BOTH THE DNC PEOPLE HAVE NO BUSINESS RUNIING THIS COUNTRY, THEY DO NOT HAVE A UNDERSTANDING ON HOW THE MILITARY WORKS. AT LESS THE RNC PERSON KNOW THE MILITARY AND THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED IN A TIME OF WAR NOT SOME KISS ASS PERSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
DAROLD M. MURPHY
BM2 USNR(TAR)ret.
Posted by: Darol Murphy | February 23, 2008 10:09 PM
Hhmmmmmmm?, "Staying in Iraq for 100 years would be fine with me" said John McCain/Bush.
Bomb bomb Iran:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAzBxFaio1I
This crazy old man Republican has no business whatsoever being in charge of the military, I don't care what he did in his past...about 100 years ago when he was sane.
Posted by: John E | February 23, 2008 10:35 PM
It's no secret that Hillary's campaign spending has been out of control and that she needs more funding. It's been all over the newspaper. She has been critized for her excessive and unnecessary spending practices using the money she has received. One article stated that "she is using the money to appear presidential" in order to show that she is ready to be the president. But these pracitces have caused her a world of hurt. It is for this reason that illegal campaign funding is being addressed. It has nothing to do with Obama except that he has more money from small private donors instead of a few large ones. He has also been practicing more creative spending practices and not using the money he has received quite as foolishly. It is speculated that Clinton used large amounts of money early in the campaign because she felt she had the election locked up. Funny how things like that don't always work out the way we plan. This should speak volumes on how she would run her presidency as well.
Posted by: DNolan | February 23, 2008 11:51 PM
Energy Independence Now!
No more Oil Wars!
Stop funding the terrorists!
Drill in Anwar.
Build more nuclear power plants
Use More coal.
Use more natural gas
Turn trash into energy
Double the efficiency of windmills and solar cells.
If France can do nuclear power so can we.
If Brazil can do biomass/ethanol power so can we.
If Australia can do LNG power so can we.
Domestically produced energy will end recession and spur the economy.
Posted by: poetryman69 | February 24, 2008 7:14 AM
As a former Republican I find myself in an unbelievable position, backing Obama, both with a contribution and actively campaigning for him. He is a breath of fresh air and a welcome change to the political scene. Clinton is like the wicked witch of NY and her style of leadership is WAY outdated. McCain has had enough chances. My only concern is that Obama has been tainted by his time in DC. I am OVER business as usual.
Posted by: George F | February 24, 2008 8:50 AM
little johnny e,
what league would that be?
You are a legend in you own mind.
You have been reading to many of your own press releases boy.
Posted by: joe | February 24, 2008 9:17 AM
Isn't there a problem with the FEC not being able to hear any complaints or appeals because they don't have enough members for a quorum?
I heard that affects McCain's appeal, so I assume that affects Obama's complaint?
Posted by: Tom J | February 24, 2008 1:57 PM
Hillary hypocrite head home.
Posted by: Katy | February 24, 2008 5:15 PM
Hey Sue, I hope Obama WILL teach you how to spell, have you ever run a spell checker on that website?
Posted by: Cyndi | February 24, 2008 10:11 PM
Do you Clinton supporters want some cheese to go with that whine?
Clinton unfairly attacked Obama about Social Security, home foreclosures and energy, and made patently false accusations, twisted words, etc., but did you see Obama out there going "shame on you Hillary"!
No, you didn't, because Obama is not a whiner!
Poor, poor, put upon Hillary. It is getting really OLD!
If I can't vote for Obama, I am voting for McCain.
I am SO tired of listening to you Hillary, we Independents are not going to vote for you, and you are not going to win.
Posted by: Cyndi | February 24, 2008 10:18 PM
"Here is the irony. If they were low-income, wouldn't they spend that money to pay for their food and bills instead of filing lawsuits?"
Posted by: Anonymous | February 23, 2008 3:51 PM
It is sad that you felt the need to disparage people who are trying to stand up for their rights and the rule of law. I am handling the case pro bono to assist these low-income voters--they aren't paying anything. My three clients, all ordinary Ohioans, donated $10, $25, and $25 respectively to Senator Obama's campaign. The young woman, age 24, who gave $10 has been disabled since she was 12 years old and is unable to work. After her donation, she had about $18 left in her bank account.
My clients are proud that Senator Obama is about to receive his millionth donation, mostly from people of modest means giving small amounts. They do not want their humble voices drowned out.
They are distressed that special interests are attempting to violate the rules that everyone else has had to play by just to give extra help to their preferred candidate. While my clients could only afford to give small amounts, fat cats who maxed out to Senator Clinton's campaign contemplate trying to circumvent donor limits to give unlimited assistance through a 527 to try to distort the electoral result. How is that fair to ordinary Americans?
Posted by: Subodh Chandra | February 24, 2008 10:46 PM